The Mariners have re-signed 32-year old righty reliever Scott Patterson to a minor league deal. Patterson pitched in 52 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Mariners last year and he was 4-4 with 19 saves, a 3.54 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He whiffed 77 batters in only 68 2/3 innings last year and he only walked 7 batters, so he was impressive. Patterson last pitched in the majors back in 2008 with the Padres. He has pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Patterson will get a shot to win a job in the Mariners’ bullpen next spring.

The Seattle Mariners have selected 24-year old lefty reliever/starter Lucas Luetge from the Milwaukee Brewers in the Rule 5 Draft. Luetge pitched in 46 games (1 start) in AA-ball last year and he was 1-3 with 3 saves, a 3.13 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 125 games (18 starts) in his first four years in the minors and he is 17-14 with 5 saves, a 3.43 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. The Mariners need lefty relievers in the worst way, so I fully expect Luetge to open the season in their bullpen unless he falls flat on his face in spring training.

The Mariners have signed 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Darren Ford. Ford played in 26 games for the Giants last year and he was 4 for 14 (.286 avg, .661 OPS) with 7 runs scored and 7 stolen bases. He also played in 49 games in Rookie+AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 48 of 181 (.265 avg, .710 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 4 homers, 15 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. Ford has now played in 33 games in his first two years in the majors and he is 4 for 14 (.286 avg, .661 OPS) with 8 runs scored and 9 RBIs. Ford’s main asset is his speed and he will get a shot next spring to win a job on the Mariners’ bench.